I never thought that there were people that aren't using blotting papers, because even the best paper can be ruined by our oily hands. There's usually no way around using blotting paper, when using real ink on the paper. At least if you want to get the best result.

a single sheet stuffed between a notebook page is too much to carry? Really?

It's not too much to carry. It's not always the most convenient thing to juggle when you are on the go. In note taking mode, I'm writing incredibly quickly. Even an EF nib on CF paper has some dry time to it. Juggling a notebook in my hands while taking notes and then trying to blot requires a level of co-ordination I don't yet have. The experience of using a FP is supposed to be a pleasure. I don't want to stress about my notes and smeared writing.

Now at home and in a controlled space, different rules apply. I've got a bit more time for paper/ink to dry and play nice. At a latter point in time, I may actually revisit this. Who knows? It's part of the fun.

I am a left-handed over-writer and I use ClairefontaineTriomphe for almost all of my letter writing. I have never had a pen skip while using it. I've probably used at least a dozen pens and just about as many inks on it and never have had the problems you have stated. Just an observation.PMS

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty -Thomas Jefferson

I love Clairefontaine paper, I love the 'greasy' aka silky smooth surface and its writing qualities. It doesn't bleed through or feather with most inks that I use - Diamine, R&K, MB, Noodler's and Waterman.

Blotters are the thing and they were when I learned to write with a fountain pen in school 60 years ago. I too have cut blotters to act as book marks ( and to absorb errant ink). I use a rocker blotter when I am writing a lot and need to turn a page quickly. And I use Binder's whimsical "pin up' advert blotters from the past to remind me of what women used to look like..

If your pen skips or won't start, the nib is being held incorrectly or it needs tuning.

Please use Ockams Razor to whittle away all of the world shaking problems described in this blog.

Signed A simple scribe and aging student of the writing arts.

Being a left-handed over writer, I agree with many of the points, but i am not giving up my Rhodia Circa Annotation paper. I write with a sheet of blotting paper under my hand to prevent bleeding. I have found that I have a similar experience with the HP 32# Presentation bond as well. The crispness of the written lines, coupled with the subdued nature of the printed lines keeps me coming back for more. For practicing my penmanship, nothing beats Seyes ruled paper.

I am really glad I run into this thread cause I was having a similar problem. But in my case the culprit is not CF or any paper, but the pen. Or, to be more precise, the pens. Most of my pens are old ones, but I have a few moderns, and among them, some Waterman of the Man (or Le Man) series. They're trouble.
I was using paper that was great with my old pens (110 g/m2 printer paper) and I found that really annoying skipping problem. No with just one pen. A Man 100 in plain black finish, a Man 100 Opera and a Man 200. The three of them with that problem. So after a while I diagnosed insufficient flow and sent them to John Sorowka. Got them back yesterday. I have asked John to stub the M nib of the Man 200 and just open a bit the flow of the two Man 100. Well, the 200 came back just glorious, I really love it. It was by far the worst skipper. Never happened after it made it back from Oxford. Its two biggest companions are visibly better after John's tuning, but by no means perfect. One of these days I'll send them back to John again. I thought a lot about it and used these pens for hours, and asked John's opinion. Finally I came to the conclusion that the problem is that the tip of the nib of these pens is quite round-shaped. Too much for most papers. For me the most convincing test was that the skipping almost disappers with more absorbent, more textured paper.
The tip of most of my vintage pens is somewhat flatter. This give them some tooth, and they never skip, even if I use really glossy paper (like Oxford sheets, a pretty common brand over here). Stubbing the M nib cured the problem because it entails making the nib's tip flatter.
So you guys can just pick a different brand of paper, but I think I will have my nibs stubbed, even knowing that I will get little line variation with the F nibs of the two Man pens.

I agree. 1) It's not cost effective for me as a high school student. 2) The ink takes forever to dry. Coupled with the fact that I'm a lefty, and it's terrible. 3) The slickness of the paper makes me loose control of my writing. There is more, but I got lazy.

I find with some pens the blank Clairefontaine paper may skip a bit... but lined or 5x5 work fine. it feels sometimes as if the blue lines create a little "grip" for the pen to lay down a nice line. I had a blank hardbound book once- and it was very skippy... the paper almost feels like it has a waxy coating to it when it is no lined.

a single sheet stuffed between a notebook page is too much to carry? Really?

It's not too much to carry. It's not always the most convenient thing to juggle when you are on the go. In note taking mode, I'm writing incredibly quickly. Even an EF nib on CF paper has some dry time to it. Juggling a notebook in my hands while taking notes and then trying to blot requires a level of co-ordination I don't yet have. The experience of using a FP is supposed to be a pleasure. I don't want to stress about my notes and smeared writing.

Now at home and in a controlled space, different rules apply. I've got a bit more time for paper/ink to dry and play nice. At a latter point in time, I may actually revisit this. Who knows? It's part of the fun.

I do pretty furious notetaking myself and one thing that helps is just leaving the sheet on the previous page and moving it forward as you move forward. Two sheets also helps but I have yet to try this in a mobile environment yet. I have not had to since my current one sheet method is working for me.

I'm a huge fan of all paper Clairefontaine, including their watercolour paper.

I've used the 6155 writing tablets for about 35 years and alternate pens often, and although I do notice some lag in drying with one or two inks, it hasn't effected my writing or created smears or caused any inconvenience.

CF paper just isn't economical enough for me to use, especially when Double A paper is so cheap, has enough tooth to give the nib something to work with AND is 22 lb/very bright white. The dry time is excellent and it's acid free...

Couple that with Miquelrius notebooks that are made to be FP friendly and suddenly my desire for CF at a premium price wanes. I'll still use it, but only if I can get it on clearance.

I love my Webbie and my Triomphe. The only ink I don't use on them is Noodler's Walnut, because it takes absolutely forever to dry on the page. But everything else dries quick enough for me, and I love the smoothness. I'm currently on the last two pages of my first Webbie and am about to crack open its replacement. And I write in it with many, MANY pen/ink combinations. Poor thing looks so messed up from all the colors...

I do not like writing on CF. To me, it takes the joy out of writing with a fountain pen. I've purchased some inexpensive journals at Staples and the paper is a joy to write upon. Each of my pens show their personality on this inexpensive paper, so no more 'spensive paper for me.

Must say this seems like a thread of heretics! How dare you all cast doubt over clairefontaine. (You can see me humming with my fingers in my ears so I can't hear any more of this).

One of the greatest days of my fountain pen life was when notemaker.com.au brought the range of clairefontaine into Australia. I just love the stuff. I have never had a skip or any problem with this paper (except the recycled stuff). I am wondering if there is a different stock floating around?

write with your wet juicy pens and inks on your fancy CF paper, stuff the blotter paper in the notebook/journal like you would stuff a piece of paper with other notes or whatever on it, then just shut the book. Blotted. Done. no big deal. open it and keep on going. you need to write more than one page at a time? stick your blotter paper (I use paper towels folded in half and cut to size) on the wet page, turn to the next page and keep on going! yee ha! nothing extra to carry around or keep up with.

Must say this seems like a thread of heretics! How dare you all cast doubt over clairefontaine. (You can see me humming with my fingers in my ears so I can't hear any more of this).

One of the greatest days of my fountain pen life was when notemaker.com.au brought the range of clairefontaine into Australia. I just love the stuff. I have never had a skip or any problem with this paper (except the recycled stuff). I am wondering if there is a different stock floating around?

Must say this seems like a thread of heretics! How dare you all cast doubt over clairefontaine. (You can see me humming with my fingers in my ears so I can't hear any more of this).

One of the greatest days of my fountain pen life was when notemaker.com.au brought the range of clairefontaine into Australia. I just love the stuff. I have never had a skip or any problem with this paper (except the recycled stuff). I am wondering if there is a different stock floating around?

It is the perfect sheet for me.

LALALALAL - I agree with Pete - ALALALALA.

could be....maybe I got hold of some different stock altogether...same price tag tho~!

I've noticed that Clairefontaine does seem to make ink take forever to dry. Having said that, I usually only pull out the 'good' paper when I have time to properly sit down and take my time writing so it's not really a major drama.

I've never tried proper blotting but I'd be curious to know how it affects shading? Can you see a stucco sort of blotting pattern in the shading, the way you do with a crumpled/twisted tissue? Is there any shading left in the usual sense?